NAIROBI - Eco tourism Kenya has announced and awarded the first tourist accommodation facilities to achieve Gold and Silver in the Eco-rating Scheme, a voluntary initiative by the Kenyan tourism industry that is designed to further the goals of sustainable tourism.

Basecamp Maasai Mara, Campi ya Kanzi and Malewa River Lodge are the premier winners of Gold Eco-rating.

Gold Eco-rating signifies excellence in environmental management, sustainable use of resources and community linkages. It's the highest level of certification in the Eco-rating scheme.

Additionally, Amboseli Porini Camp, Olonana, Ol Seki Mara, Ol Seki Mara and Turtle Bay Beach Club were awarded Silver Eco-rating.

These are also the premier winners of this level of rating. Silver Eco-rating signifies a facility that is moving towards excellence in the areas of environmental management, sustainable resource use and community linkages.

Apart from evaluating performance of hotels, lodges, camps and bush homes, the Eco-rating Scheme is contributing to branding of Kenya as an ecotourism destination. In a market where travelers are increasingly concerned about the ecological and social impacts of their holidays, this scheme offers guarantee to the traveler that the product they are consuming is ecologically and socially responsible.

The Eco tourism Kenya Eco-rating Scheme is designed to promote and increase awareness of environmentally and socially sound business practices, conserve the natural resource base on which Kenya's tourism depends and improve the overall standards of the Kenya’s tourism industry.

For more information on the Eco-rating scheme, visit www.ecotourismkenya.org.

[4 May 2007 10:02]

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